Domestic Reform Drive, Security Tests Define Commons Day

High-Level Summary

The Commons examined education policy, business rates, foreign affairs, local government reorganisation and public accountability. Education questions focused on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), teacher retention, post‑16 qualifications and exam integrity, with Ministers pointing to major capital and training investments and promising further detail in a schools White Paper. MPs pressed the Treasury on business rates changes for retail, hospitality and leisure, while separate urgent questions covered Iran’s violent repression of protests, potential postponement of local elections during reorganisation, and the proposed Chinese embassy in London. The Foreign Secretary set out the UK’s stance on Greenland, tariffs and Arctic security; the Government paused the Hillsborough law to resolve national security handling; and an adjournment debate proposed reforms to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Detailed Summary

Oral Answers to Education Questions (SEND, post‑16, workforce, assessment, governance)

The Education Secretary highlighted immediate and longer‑term SEND reforms, confirming “at least £3 billion in high needs capital” and “£200 million… to deliver more SEND training” to improve early support [ref: a1.8/1]. She said accountability proposals would follow in a schools White Paper, adding “the system just is not working for children and families” and that she takes accountability “extremely seriously” [ref: a1.10/1]. Early‑help steps cited included departmental restructuring to put SEND “at its heart” and placing “a SEND professional in every Best Start family hub” [ref: a3.0/1]. On disparities, she said Ministers are “looking carefully at questions of funding” alongside capital and training support [ref: a3.2/1].

On post‑16, the Skills Minister said A‑level entries were steady and T‑levels growing, with a new vocational “V‑levels” route planned, and pledged a careful transition after consulting on BTEC defunding [ref: a4.2/1, a4.4/1]. On teacher retention, Ministers pointed to pay, incentives and wellbeing measures “to put 6,500 new expert teachers in front of our classrooms” [ref: a5.2/1]. Addressing exam integrity concerns, the Schools Minister stressed Ofqual’s oversight and noted enforcement action and fines against Pearson [ref: a6.4/1]. On qualifications, Ministers encouraged awarding bodies to develop a Ukrainian GCSE and confirmed support for a British Sign Language GCSE, noting “all children should get to choose their GCSEs” [ref: a7.4/1, a7.8/1, a8.2/1]. On local SEND accountability and places, Ministers said they would act where councils fail legal duties [ref: a8.7/1], and detailed plans to “deliver 50,000 more specialist places,” offering councils choices on delivery and timelines to confirm projects [ref: a14.9/1, a15.3/1, a16.1/1]. On high‑needs deficits, the Children’s Minister said any remaining deficits would be met “from across Government,” alongside immediate investments [ref: a12.3/1].

Urgent Question: Business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure

The Exchequer Secretary outlined Budget reforms including “permanently lower multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses” and a rebalancing toward larger properties, backed by “£4.3 billion of transitional support,” with “over half of ratepayers” seeing bills flat or falling next year [ref: a25.2/2, a25.2/5]. Pressed about Valuation Office Agency data and further help, he said, “I will not comment on speculation,” with any updates to be made “in the usual way” [ref: a30.2/1, a30.0/1].

On affordability, he stated “no pub will see their business rates bill go up by three times this year,” pointing to caps of £800 or 5%, 15% or 30% depending on property size, and reiterated the 5p reduction in the high‑street multiplier (within a legislated 20p ceiling) [ref: a29.1/1, a28.0/1]. He referenced potential structural reform (e.g., moving from a slab to a slice system) and a new retail, hospitality and leisure envoy, while adding that “a third of properties pay no business rates at all” due to small business relief [ref: a28.2/1, a32.0/2, a38.4/1].

Urgent Question: Iran – response to the crackdown on protests

The FCDO Minister condemned “the horrendous killing of Iranian protesters” and described UK coordination with allies: G7 readiness to act, public statements at the UN Security Council, securing a UN Human Rights Council special session, and UN sanctions snapback with further sectoral measures in train [ref: a44.2/1, a44.2/2, a44.2/3]. He confirmed that while staff were withdrawn, “we have not closed our embassy,” and said the Government will legislate for a state‑threats proscription‑like tool following the Jonathan Hall review, while also considering human rights sanctions [ref: a47.1/1, a47.1/2, a47.3/1].

Members pressed for proscription of the IRGC, internet access support and community protection. The Minister said protesters’ rights must be respected and that the UK is “working with our allies and continue to press the Iranians… They must restore internet access,” and noted UK law enforcement’s use of National Security Act powers [ref: a48.3/1, a48.1/1, a54.0/1]. No new measures were announced beyond ongoing legislative and diplomatic steps.

Urgent Question: Potential postponement of May 2026 local elections

The Local Government Minister said the Government is pursuing “a once‑in‑a‑generation reorganisation of local government” to create single‑tier councils by the end of the Parliament, and had asked 63 councils whether postponing May 2026 elections could release capacity to deliver reorganisation, citing precedent and stating that no decisions had been made [ref: a57.2/1, a57.2/3, a57.2/4]. She said specific councils had been asked for further clarity by 10 am the next day and that decisions would be made “as quickly as possible,” adding that the Electoral Commission had been notified [ref: a57.2/4, a58.0/1].

Responding to criticism that millions risk being denied a vote, she said this is about capacity during reorganisation and that most elections will proceed, adding, “We want elections to go ahead, unless there is a strong justification” [ref: a57.3/1, a61.2/1]. Outcome: decisions pending; Parliament to be updated “in the usual way” [ref: a57.2/4].

Urgent Question: Proposed Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court

The Foreign Office Minister emphasised that national security “is the first duty of Government,” with the intelligence agencies involved, while the planning decision rests with Housing, Communities and Local Government Ministers acting quasi‑judicially; the target decision date was 20 January [ref: a66.6/1, a66.6/2]. She noted the security benefits of consolidating multiple sites into one and reaffirmed that the Government “will not tolerate any attempts by foreign Governments to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics overseas” [ref: a68.0/2, a66.6/3].

Members raised concerns about sensitive cabling and unredacted plans. The Minister said 2018 consent for diplomatic use was “subject to planning permission,” confirmed engagement with the Intelligence and Security Committee, and stated that the UK controls diplomatic numbers case‑by‑case under the Vienna Convention. She said the decision will be taken “in the proper way… regardless of any attempts at pressure” [ref: a71.0/1, a73.0/1, a73.4/1, a69.0/2]. Outcome: decision pending; mitigations being developed and implemented.

Statement: Arctic security, Greenland and transatlantic relations

The Foreign Secretary set out the UK response to a US announcement of potential tariffs over Greenland, restating that “Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Its future is a matter for Greenlanders and the Danes, and them alone,” and that threatening tariffs on allies “is completely wrong” [ref: a78.1/3]. She called for co‑operation via NATO on Arctic security and detailed UK deployments, including doubling Royal Marines in Norway and joint operation of Type 26 anti‑submarine frigates with Norway [ref: a78.1/12].

She said the UK is engaging intensively with allies and the US to avoid a trade war and proposed strengthening multilateral coordination, later confirming she had proposed a NATO “Arctic sentry” model [ref: a78.1/8, a82.0/3]. No new measures were announced; diplomacy continues on principles of sovereignty, respect for allies and collective security.

Statement: Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Hillsborough law) – pause to resolve security interface

The Justice Minister announced a delay to the Bill’s remaining Commons stages to resolve the interface between a statutory duty of candour and national security, stating the Bill “is a Bill for families,” that it will cover the intelligence services, and that the “pause is not a step back… it is a commitment to getting this right” [ref: a102.4/2, a102.4/4, a102.4/8]. She reaffirmed the aims of candour, transparency and support for bereaved families, and undertook to work with families, campaigners, Parliament and the Intelligence and Security Committee [ref: a102.4/3, a102.4/6].

Pressed on timelines and scope, she declined an “arbitrary deadline,” confirmed the Bill will return to the Commons before the Lords, and reiterated that there is “no carve‑out” for the intelligence services; the focus is on procedures for handling sensitive material [ref: a106.3/2, a107.1/1, a111.0/1]. Outcome: stages postponed; stakeholder engagement will shape amendments to balance candour with safeguarding national security.

Adjournment Debate: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

The sponsoring Member argued that the current DBS framework leaves safeguarding gaps and burdens families and volunteers, calling for mandatory registration for those working with children or vulnerable adults, mandatory enhanced checks and use of the update service, an individual clearance card, a public reporting route, family access for carers or tutors, faster processing, and a review of “regulated activity” [ref: a120.1/4]. She cited cases where concerns were not captured and where delays hindered employment.

The Home Office Minister set out the DBS’s role and recent reforms: legislation in the Crime and Policing Bill will ensure supervised roles are eligible for barred‑list checks, and from “Wednesday” self‑employed or personally employed carers and tutors can obtain higher‑level checks; she emphasised that the DBS is not a regulator but provides information to support employer decisions [ref: a121.0/5, a122.1/1, a121.0/4]. On performance, she noted an 80% 14‑day target with current delivery at 75% and 7.2 million certificates issued annually, and agreed to meet to explore improvements [ref: a124.7/2, a121.0/3, a124.0/1].